Officer Anastasios Koumantos raced to a local UPS Store and the victim's bank to halt a $196,000 money order before it reached scammers posing as a bank fraud department.
A Mundelein police officer is being recognized for his fast thinking after he prevented a 76-year-old resident from losing $196,000 to a phone scam last fall.
How the scam worked
In November 2025, Officer Anastasios Koumantos responded to a report from a 76-year-old Mundelein resident who had been contacted by someone impersonating her bank's fraud department.
The caller told the victim that a fraudulent $1,960 charge had been placed against her account and that the funds had been used for illegal purposes. The scammers then threatened her with arrest by local police unless she granted access to her banking information to "repay" the charge.
Using high-pressure tactics, the suspects gained remote access to the victim's computer and directed her to send a $196,000 online money order via overnight UPS delivery to an address in Texas.
How Officer Koumantos stepped in
After learning the package was already en route, Koumantos tried to stop the delivery by phone. When that didn't work, he drove directly to the UPS Store to intercept it. He then accompanied the victim to her bank, where he coordinated fraud protections and helped recover the funds.
"Because of his quick, focused work, the victim's money was returned, preventing a life-changing loss." — Mundelein Police Department
Department recognition
The Village of Mundelein honored Koumantos in February 2026 as part of the department's quarterly employee recognition program.
Deputy Police Chief Tom Poyner noted that while local charges are unlikely due to the complexity of scam networks operating outside the country, the officer's quick response made all the difference.
"The timely reporting and the quick actions taken by the officer prevented any money being lost." — Deputy Chief Tom Poyner
Tips to protect yourself from scams
Poyner shared several reminders for residents:
- Verify the source. If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email asking for personal information or money, contact the organization directly using a phone number you trust.
- Ignore the urgency. Scammers rely on threats and pressure to push people into acting immediately. Legitimate organizations will not rush you.
- Never share personal information. Banks and government agencies will not ask for passwords, banking details, or Social Security numbers over the phone.
- Don't click unfamiliar links. If something feels off, stop communication and reach out to the organization on your own.
- Report it. If you do fall victim to a scam, contact the police right away. There is no reason to feel embarrassed — reporting helps protect others.